Make Your Own: Dough Ornaments

 Soft Starch

At the library, we found a book titled Make Your Own Gifts http://cn.dk.com/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9781465414199,00.html?MAKE_YOUR_OWN_GIFTS_DK_Publishing
DK publications are generally fabulous, but this was page after page of clever, trendy DIY projects to share.

We chose the Dough Ornaments, as we had all of the supplies on hand and it turned out to be an amazing sensory experience. Not to mention, a no-fail recipe.

 Goopy Glop

Long ago, when O was teeny, we did a sensory play bin with water and corn starch. The corn starch is so soft and sifts easily through the fingers. Add a little water and it alternates between silky and solid playdough; a very unique sensory experience.

 Cookie Cutters

After hand mixing, I heated the mixture to turn it into dough and O proceded to cut out shapes to bake.



Dough Ornament
1/2 cup cornstarch
1 1/2 cup baking soda
1 cup water
Mix dry. Add water and mix.
Stir constantly over med high heat until mixture thickens.
Remove from heat and cover with damp cloth until cool.
Knead well, roll and cut. Poke hanging hole with skewer.
Bake at 220 for an hour, flipping shapes at the half hour.


Pretty Pendants

Once dried, we can paint and thread with ribbon (as pictured in the book's shot above) to add to jam jars or use as holiday decoration.

EXPAND ON HANDMADE GIFTS 
More Idea's from DK's Make Your Own Gifts. The pictures below are taken straight from the pages of the book.

Pendants with bead chains

Happy Bird-day Foil Plate Cut-Outs

Here the book notes using tin plate cut-outs and a soft backed surface to etch designs with a ball point pen.

Pop Art Cupcakes

I had no idea there's such thing as 'roll-out icing'. 
Can you believe these are cupcakes!? I thought it was felt circles!

Stamped Gift Tags & Paper

Plans are underway to design our own miniature stamps with lino tiles. 
I love the blue birdie pictured with corresponding gift wrap!

Heart Decor

The kitschy garland....the rainbow strips heart...the layered greeting card....

Tin Can Mouse

Hands down, this would have been my choice as a kid!
We might have to sub-in a teacup piglet for the gray mouse!

Sugar Roll

The recipe for these coconut rolls included 9 cups of coconut and icing sugar with condensed milk!